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Tax day

It’s tax day – at least it is for me. Don’t freak out if you haven’t filed yours yet. You still have a couple of weeks before April 15. Actually I just discovered that the last date this year to legally file taxes is April 18 due to April 15 being the day the government will observe Emancipation Day, which is really April 16. But since April 16 is Saturday, it will be observed on the Friday before, thus April 15.

You didn’t know you were going to get so much information today, I bet.

It’s tax day for me because I finally got all my information together in a handy-dandy folder and dropped the packet off at my accountant’s office. I told the receptionist that I really meant to have it there sooner. She said, “You are not the only one.”

I’m guessing there are a lot of procrastinators out there who, like me, had good intentions.

I listed “tax preparation to be complete in February” as one of my 2011 goals. I’m a month late. And why is that?

Filing my taxes is like a lot of other things in my life. It is important but not urgent. It is easy to put it off until later because I can. That is until April 15th gets precariously close and suddenly tax preparation becomes urgent.

A seminar I attended taught about prioritizing tasks by drawing a square and labeling the quadrants like this:

Important but Not Urgent

Important and Urgent

Seems Urgent but Not Important

Not urgent and Not Important

As I remember, we were told we need to spend most of our time on the things in the first quadrant, Important but Not Urgent. But all too often we spend our lives on the Not Urgent and Not Important or what Seems Urgent but is Not Important. In other words, we waste time.

I could make a list here of time-wasters, but I will let you make your own mental list.

It is so easy for us to put off what is not screaming loudly to be done while giving ourselves away for what will be of no use in the final count of our lives.

I think of relationships I cherish. Most of the people in my life are not urgently crying out, telling me they need some time and attention. They can be put on hold easily while I spin my wheels on other stuff that sometimes makes bigger noises or flashes brighter images.

I have been known to say “In the scope of eternity, what does [name the event or circumstance] really matter.” It is the people who are in my circle of influence who will matter in the scope of eternity. They are affected most by my interactions – or my unavailability.

Recalling 1 Corinthians 3:11 – 13, Paul talks about building on the foundation Christ has laid. Christ gave us the foundation of living. He expects us to build carefully on that foundation.

“Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ. Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you’ll be found out. The inspection will be thorough and rigorous. You won’t get by with a thing,”(The Message).

Christ cared for people more than anything else. We are to model our lives after His and continue to build.

An old saying I’ve heard since a child says, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Don’t neglect what is important, and that is your relationships, the people God has put in your life. Good intentions don’t accomplish anything.

5 thoughts on “Tax day”

Julie sent me your blog and I enjoyed. You prayed for me in 2009 when I injured my left eye and lost sight in it. I just wanted you to know that the surgeon and doctors at U of L said I would have excruciating pain. It never happened-absolutely none! I give all the credit to the prayers and Jesus. I did end up having to get the eye removed and now have a prosthetic eye. I pray every day I leave in my car that I will not miss seeing things around me.

Thank you for your prayers. I would like to get on your blog but don’t see how to do that. I am presently in a Bible Study, called “Made to Crave” with Julie. I need prayer to give me perseverance with my eating habits.

I, too, have not done my taxes. Appointment is Friday, 8th. Have to get busy tomorrow. So nice to talk with you.

Marilyn, I am delighted to hear from someone Julie and I have prayed for, and I’m so glad to know God did what the doctors said would not happen. Over the years, Julie and I have experienced God’s answer to our prayers in such amazing and beautiful ways. Sometimes He says “no” but it is always for the greater “yes.” I will pray for you and your Bible study. May God satisfy all the longings of your heart. I was sent an email that you signed up for my blog so I am assuming you found your way around it. If you need any other assitance, please let me know.

I have found myself putting off my to do list, because I have found life is about who you love. Is it me, or others. I have also realize I have less hours of strength than I once had. I give to others now,all to often, quicker than we think they are gone.I’ve recognized that its people and relationships that to quickly slip from our lives and all the things on our priorty list change.Things we thought were at the top of the list suddenly drop to the bottom or disapear completely. I’m laying up my treasures by investing my time and talents into those that God has placed in my life, some are friends, some are family,others just stop by my life for a fleeting moment on the side of the road.I want to leave them with a little morsel of Love, which is the greatest gift. God says,
in his word. The greatest of these are love. Blessings friend.

Your comment reminds me of a poem, “Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.” That is what is important, isn’t it, Elaine. Being a friend to the one God places in our path.